Neal Schon Moves to Block ‘Journey Beyond’ Trademark
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 07: 2017 Inductee Neal Schon of Journey attends the Press Room of the 32nd Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on April 7, 2017 in New York City. The event will broadcast on HBO Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:00 pm ET/PT (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Neal Schon, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of Journey, has ignited fan speculation after sharing an image emblazoned with the words “Journey Beyond” across his social media. The accompanying caption, “Into the future,” hints at something new on the horizon, sparking questions about whether Schon is preparing to embark on a fresh musical chapter separate from the band that made him famous.
Adding fuel to the fire is a trademark application Schon filed in April for JOURNEY BEYOND™. According to records from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office accessed via uspto.report, the registration covers a broad array of music-related products—ranging from downloadable tracks and MP3s to physical CDs, DVDs, and video recordings. Though the trademark remains pending and awaits review by an examining attorney, the timing of the filing closely aligns with Schon’s initial social media teaser, suggesting deliberate groundwork for something bigger.
Echoes of Past Side Projects
Schon isn’t new to branching out. Between 2018 and 2019, he led a project called Journey Through Time, teaming up with former Santana and Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie, longtime Journey drummer Deen Castronovo, and ex-bassist Marco Mendoza. The band’s efforts culminated in a live album released in 2023, capturing their debut performance at a benefit concert for North Bay Fire Relief in San Francisco.
With Journey taking a rare break from touring this year—limiting themselves to just a handful of one-off shows—Schon appears to be using the downtime to explore other musical avenues. Meanwhile, fellow band member Jonathan Cain has been pursuing solo ventures rooted in faith-based music and is reportedly crafting new songs, though it’s unclear if any of this will lead to a follow-up to Journey’s 2022 album Freedom—their first studio release in over a decade. On the side, Castronovo remains busy finalizing the sixth album for his band Revolution Saints, where he also fronts as lead vocalist.
The Name “Journey Beyond” Has a Familiar Ring
While Neal Schon’s use of Journey Beyond has stirred curiosity, it’s not the first time the name has surfaced in rock’s orbit. In 2020, Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna launched a Journey tribute band using the same moniker. Their debut featured a set heavy on the band’s ‘80s hits — an era that defined Journey’s mainstream legacy — but the group soon adopted a new name: Beyond Frontiers.
Belladonna’s affinity for Journey isn’t just casual. He auditioned for Anthrax by singing one of their songs, a move that left a lasting impression. Since then, he’s woven Journey tracks into various corners of his career — from covering “Keep on Runnin’” on Anthrax’s 2013 Anthems EP to delivering faithful renditions during solo gigs and surprise guest appearances, including with Steel Panther. His connection to the band, while unofficial, has long been part of his musical identity.
